Campgrounds and trails across Washington could close permanently — or see major service reductions — as soon as this spring and summer.
Nineteen Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sites are currently under consideration, including eleven in western Washington. Among the campgrounds identified for possible closure are Bear Creek, Chopaka Lake, Anderson Lake, Dougan Creek, Dragoon Creek, Hoh-Oxbow, Skookum Creek, Tunerville, Winston Creek, and several others. The Bradley Trails ORV area and portions of Green Mountain State Forest could also see closures or seasonal restrictions. In the Snoqualmie area, visitors may encounter seasonal bathroom closures.
Some campgrounds — including 29 Pines and Ahtanum — could see delayed openings or reduced services rather than full shutdowns.
Why It’s Happening
The potential closures follow more than $7 million in cuts to the DNR’s recreation budget last year — roughly a 20% reduction. The governor’s proposed 2026 budget adds another $750,000 in cuts, and House and Senate supplemental proposals would reduce funding to the agency’s recreation maintenance account, which supports trails, campgrounds, and trailheads.
According to the DNR, its recreation program has been operating at a deficit for at least five years.
The agency also previously relied on Washington Conservation Corps crews — the equivalent of about 70 additional field workers — to help maintain trails and campgrounds. Funding to continue that support was not included in the most recent legislative session.
Right now, DNR has just 60 field staff statewide.
That works out to roughly one worker for every 22 miles of trail — or for every 330,000 visitors.
“We already have less staff than we should,” DNR spokesperson Michael Kelly said. Further reductions, he said, would force the agency to make “operational choices in the moment” about which sites receive maintenance. In practice, that could mean less popular or more remote areas see diminished upkeep.
Maintenance backlogs — especially on trails — are already growing. Visitors should expect rougher conditions in some areas this year, even at sites that remain open.
How Sites Were Chosen
The list of potential closures was developed with input from DNR’s six regions. Officials prioritized sites that are costly to operate, remote from staff hubs, or prone to vandalism and illegal dumping. Campgrounds with gates or single-access roads were also considered because they can be closed more easily to prevent damage and limit misuse.
Campgrounds are being prioritized overall because they require the most staffing to manage overnight safety.
While not every site will close, DNR says the effects of reduced funding would likely be felt statewide as staffing shrinks and maintenance needs continue to mount.
“I know in this budget year, tough choices have to be made,” Kelly said. “But recreation draws people to the state, which means tourism dollars and economic activity.”
What Happens Next?
The legislative session wraps up March 12, and nothing is final yet. We’ll continue to follow the story and share updates as decisions are made.
If you have Washington camping or riding trips planned this year — particularly at DNR-managed sites — it’s worth keeping a close eye on official announcements in the coming weeks.
This story was part of our weekly RV and Camping News Roundup on the RV Miles YouTube channel. If you would like to support this work and mission to produce independent fact-based news every week, consider becoming a Mile Marker member for $7 a month or $70 by clicking the button below.
